Key takeaways:
Coreg (carvedilol) is a prescription medication that treats various heart conditions, including high blood pressure and heart failure. It comes as an immediate-release tablet (Coreg IR) and an extended-release capsule (Coreg CR).
Coreg IR comes in doses that range from 3.125 mg to 25 mg. Most people take Coreg IR 2 times a day. Coreg CR doses range from 10 mg to 80 mg. Most people take Coreg CR once a day.
You’ll usually start with a lower dose of Coreg. Over a few days to weeks, your prescriber may raise your dosage based on how you respond.
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Coreg (carvedilol) is a beta blocker that’s FDA approved to treat heart failure and high blood pressure. It’s also used to lower the risk of death after a heart attack in some people.
If you’ve been prescribed Coreg, the goal is to help your heart work more efficiently. So it's important to follow your prescriber’s instructions on how to take it. In this guide, we’ll cover some common Coreg dosages. But keep in mind that your prescriber may recommend something different than what’s discussed below.
Good to know: Coreg is approved for use in adults only. There are no standard children’s dosages for the medication. Please follow your child’s healthcare team’s instructions if they prescribe Coreg for your child.
What’s the typical Coreg dosage for adults?
The typical Coreg dosage depends on why you’re taking it. Your dosage will also depend on the form of Coreg you’re taking. Coreg is available as an immediate-release (IR) tablet and an extended-release capsule (Coreg CR). It’s recommended to take Coreg IR twice a day and Coreg CR once a day.
Regardless of whether you take Coreg IR or CR, you should take your doses with food. This helps prevent a side effect called orthostatic hypotension. This is when your blood pressure drops too low after standing from sitting or lying down.
Coreg IR tablets come in the following doses:
3.125 mg
6.25 mg
12.5 mg
25 mg
Coreg CR capsules come in the following doses:
10 mg
20 mg
40 mg
80 mg
You should swallow Coreg IR tablets whole. Don’t chew, cut, or crush them. But you can open Coreg CR capsules and sprinkle the contents over a spoonful of cold or room temperature applesauce. The applesauce shouldn’t be warm. This can be helpful if you have trouble swallowing pills.
Below, you’ll find more details about Coreg dosages for each of its approved uses.
Coreg dosages for heart failure
The Coreg IR dosage for heart failure usually starts at 3.125 mg by mouth twice daily for at least 2 weeks.
The goal is to decrease how hard your heart has to work to keep your body functioning normally. This includes lowering your blood pressure and heart rate. If your blood pressure and heart rate are still higher than your goal range after 2 weeks of taking Coreg IR, your prescriber may double your dose to 6.25 mg twice daily.
What’s Coreg used for? Pharmacists answer this and other frequently asked questions about Coreg (carvedilol).
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Your prescriber may double your dose every 2 weeks up to a dosage of 25 mg twice daily. If you’re having too many side effects, they can also lower your dosage. This is usually the maximum recommended Coreg IR dosage. Some people weighing over 187 lbs (85 kg) may need a maximum dosage of 50 mg twice daily.
The usual starting Coreg CR dosage for heart failure is 10 mg by mouth once daily in the morning. Your prescriber may double your dose to 20 mg once daily after 2 weeks. Your dose may be doubled again every 2 weeks as tolerated. The maximum Coreg CR dosage is 80 mg once daily in the morning. The maximum dosage is the same regardless of your body weight.
Coreg dosages for high blood pressure
The recommended starting Coreg IR dosage for high blood pressure is 6.25 mg by mouth twice daily. If your blood pressure is still high after 1 to 2 weeks, your prescriber may raise your dose to 12.5 mg twice daily. After another 1 to 2 weeks, your dose can be raised again to 25 mg twice daily. This is the maximum Coreg IR dosage for high blood pressure.
For Coreg CR, the typical starting dosage for high blood pressure is 20 mg by mouth once daily in the morning. If your blood pressure is still high after 1 to 2 weeks, your prescriber may raise your dose to 40 mg once daily. The maximum Coreg CR dosage for high blood pressure is 80 mg once daily.
Coreg dosages after a heart attack
If you recently had a heart attack, the recommended starting Coreg IR dosage is 6.25 mg by mouth twice daily. But for people who already have low blood pressure, a low heart rate, or fluid retention, your prescriber may start you at a lower dose of 3.125 mg twice daily. If needed, your prescriber can double your dose every 3 to 10 days. The maximum Coreg IR dosage after a heart attack is 25 mg twice daily.
If you’re taking Coreg CR, the usual starting dosage after a heart attack is 20 mg by mouth once daily in the morning (or 10 mg once daily if a lower dose is needed). Your dose may be increased every 3 to 10 days. The maximum recommended Coreg CR dosage after a heart attack is 80 mg once daily.
Are there any dosage adjustments for medical conditions?
Possibly. In rare cases, a person’s kidney function may worsen after starting Coreg. If this happens, you may need to take a lower Coreg dosage. Symptoms of kidney damage include peeing less or not at all, feeling nauseous, and having muscle cramps. If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your prescriber right away. And be sure to go for any blood tests they recommend. These tests can help your prescriber monitor your kidney function.
If you're 65 or older, you may be more likely to experience dizziness, especially just after starting Coreg or after your dose is raised. There’s also a greater risk shortly after switching from Coreg IR to Coreg CR. To minimize this, your prescriber might start you on a lower Coreg dosage. They may also raise your dose more slowly.
Additionally, there are groups of people that should avoid Coreg altogether. This includes people with asthma, a very low heart rate, or severe liver problems.
Can you switch from Coreg IR to Coreg CR?
Yes, it’s possible to switch from Coreg IR to CR. You may prefer this because you only need to take Coreg CR once a day. Coreg CR may also provide more stable effects throughout the day.
If it’s appropriate for you to switch from Coreg IR to Coreg CR, your prescriber will help you make the switch safely. Your total daily dose of Coreg IR will determine your new Coreg CR dosage. The resulting Coreg CR dosage will likely be higher than your daily dose of Coreg IR. For example, if you take Coreg IR 12.5 mg twice daily, your total daily dose is 25 mg. But your new Coreg CR dosage would likely be 40 mg once daily.
What happens if you miss a dose of Coreg?
If you forget to take a dose of Coreg, take it right when you remember. But if it's close to the time of your next dose, skip the missed dose altogether. Don’t double your dose to make up for the missed dose.
If you miss multiple doses of Coreg in a row, let your prescriber know. Stopping Coreg abruptly can lead to chest pain and increase your heart-related risks. Your prescriber may want to monitor you more closely.
What should you do if you take too much Coreg?
Taking too much Coreg raises your risk of side effects. These may include low blood pressure, low heart rate, and feeling tired. More seriously, this can cause your heart to stop working and lead to cardiac arrest.
If you think you took too much Coreg, talk to your prescriber right away. They can help determine if you can safely manage your side effects at home. If any of your symptoms feel severe, such as extreme dizziness, chest pain, or trouble breathing, seek emergency medical care or call 911.
How to save on Coreg
Coreg IR and Coreg CR are available as brand-name medications. But you can also find them as lower-cost generics. GoodRx can help you navigate ways to save on your prescription.
Save with GoodRx. GoodRx can help you save over 40% off the average retail price of the generic versions of Coreg IR and Coreg CR. Generic Coreg IR at certain pharmacies may be as low as $10.20 with a free GoodRx discount. Generic Coreg CR at certain pharmacies may be as low as $223.26 with a free GoodRx discount.
Save with a copay savings card. If you have commercial insurance and meet eligibility requirements, brand-name Coreg IR or brand-name Coreg ER are as little as $5 per month if you use the manufacturer’s savings card.
Frequently asked questions
You have to take Coreg IR twice daily because it doesn’t last in your body very long. On average, the body removes about half of the medication in 7 to 11 hours after a dose. This is called the medication’s “half-life,” and it’s used to determine how often you should take a medication. Taking Coreg IR twice a day helps you maintain consistent levels of medications.
Coreg CR is designed to release the medication more slowly than Coreg IR. This helps slow down how quickly your body breaks down and removes your dose. That’s why you can take Coreg CR once a day.
It’s recommended to take Coreg IR twice a day. It’s a good idea to separate doses by about 12 hours. You should take Coreg CR only once a day. That means doses should be about 24 hours apart.
You have to take Coreg IR twice daily because it doesn’t last in your body very long. On average, the body removes about half of the medication in 7 to 11 hours after a dose. This is called the medication’s “half-life,” and it’s used to determine how often you should take a medication. Taking Coreg IR twice a day helps you maintain consistent levels of medications.
Coreg CR is designed to release the medication more slowly than Coreg IR. This helps slow down how quickly your body breaks down and removes your dose. That’s why you can take Coreg CR once a day.
It’s recommended to take Coreg IR twice a day. It’s a good idea to separate doses by about 12 hours. You should take Coreg CR only once a day. That means doses should be about 24 hours apart.
The bottom line
Coreg (carvedilol) is a medication that’s used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure. It also lowers the risk of death after a heart attack. Your Coreg dosage will vary depending on which form you’re taking and why you’re using it.
The immediate-release tablets (Coreg IR) come in doses ranging from 3.125 mg to 25 mg. Most people take Coreg IR twice a day with food. The extended-release capsules (Coreg CR) come in doses ranging from 10 mg to 80 mg. It’s recommended to take Coreg CR once a day in the morning with food. If needed or preferred, your prescriber can switch you from Coreg IR to Coreg CR.
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References
Bryant Ranch Prepack. (2025). Carvedilol phosphate- carvedilol phosphate capsule, extended release [package insert].
MedlinePlus. (2023). Carvedilol.
PubChem. (2025). Carvedilol. National Library of Medicine.
Remedyrepack. (2025). Carvedilol- carvedilol tablet, film coated [package insert].
